Honor Boy Scouts Founder's Day

22, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the youth of today, and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and its members are dedicated to the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating Founder's Day on Friday, February 22, 2019; and WHEREAS, On June 15, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill, passed with unanimous consent in both houses of Congress, granting federal incorporation to the Boy Scouts of America; and WHEREAS, The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on

February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America is part of the international Scout Movement, and became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922; and WHEREAS, Worldwide, in nearly all Scouting associations, Founder's Day is celebrated on February 22nd, the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, and coincidentally also of his wife, Olave Baden-Powell; and WHEREAS, Until his death in 1941, Robert Baden-Powell worked tirelessly to support the world Scout movement; today, more than a century and a half since his birth, that indelible imprint has grown exponentially; and WHEREAS, Community-based organizations receive national charters to use the Scouting program as a part of their own youth work; these groups, which have goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of America include: religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor organizations, governmental bodies, corporations, professional associations, and citizens' groups; and WHEREAS, Scouting and exploring programs develop excellence in young people by building their character, values, and self-confidence so they can become our next generation of leaders; and WHEREAS, There are various programs and phases within the Boy Scouts of America, including: Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing; and WHEREAS, The Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society, recognizes those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives; the Order has local lodge, section, and national meetings; Scouts who have become Eagle Scouts, the highest advancement award in Scouting, may join the National Eagle Scout Association; and WHEREAS, Today, the Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest Scouting organizations and youth organizations in the United States, with more than 2.4 million youth participants and nearly one million adult volunteers; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Boy Scouts of America prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America have so manifestly contributed to the preservation of those treasured ideals of compassion, honor, preparedness and concern for others which are so paradigmatic of our American Heritage; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating Founder's Day on February 22, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Boy Scouts of America.